Edwin may



UNITED STATES FA'IET OFFICE.

EDWIN MAY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

CONSTRUCTION 0F PRISONS.

Specification of Letters Patent No 25,662, dated Octobei` 4, 1859.

To aZZ whom 'Zt may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDWIN MAY, of Indianapolis, in the county of Marionand State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin the Construction and Operation of Prisons, of which the following isa full and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings and the letters marked thereon.

Figure 1 is a perspective and Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 8 are sectionalviews showing the construction and general arrangement of the same.

A represents the side and end walls of the prison, B, the floor, C, theoutside door, D, inside or angle door, E, molding or hood over door (C),F, the cells, G, the small door of the safe or boX (J), I-I, the crankwhich operates the drum (p), I, bolt or lock to the angle door (D), a,bar connected with the bolts (s) which are operated by the levers (5,)for the purpose of fastening the cell doors (j), e fulcrum of the lever(5), eZ, levers for operating the sliding doors (Z), e, wire rope orendless chain which operates the levers (cl), f, hinge joint to levers(cZ),`

g, support of pulleys, for chain or wire rope, z, pulleys over which thechain or wire rope (6,) operates, z' the grated partition, j, celldoors, lo slide or groove for doors Z, to work in, my, rollers forsliding doors (Z), n, guard or slide for levers (CZ), 0, staple topadlock, levers (5), g, pawl or catch to hold the drum (p), in place, a,rollers for bar (Z,) to work over.

The nature and eXtent of this improvement will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the object sought, which is avoiding thenecessity of actual contact with the prisoners, while the keeper hasperfect knowledge and control of them, and preventing their escape byknocking down the keeper, which has often occurred where the commonarrangement of prisons has been used. It is peculiarly adapted to countyprisons, and that portion of State prisons appropriated to solitaryconnement.

The following is the manner of operating the same, and managing theprisoners: The j ailer opening the outside door releases the edge of thesmall or safe door (G) giving access to the crank which operates thedoors (Z,) in the grated partition by means of the endless chain or ropewhich passes around the drum (29,) and is attached to the hinge or joint(f,) of the lever (Z,). The angle door (D) is held by the bolt or lock(I,) while the keeper is allowed to examine every part of the hall whichthe peculiar shape of the angle door (D,) allows. Should there be anyprisoners in the first hall, they are ordered to retire through thedoors (Z), in the grated partitions (i). The doors (Z,) are then closedby operating the crank (II) as has been shown, the keeper then unlockingpasses through the angle door (D) into the first hall being separatedfrom the prisoners by the grating through which he orders the prisoners,each to his cell, and to close the door after him, by operating thelevers (5,) the bars (5,) are drawn while the lugs or bolts, (S,) beingdrawn over the doors secure the same. He then passes in and locks thedoors (5),) whereby an iron grating is always kept between the keeperand the prisoners.

That I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. The angle door(D) in combination with the safe lock or bolt (I,) when constructed andoperated substantially as set forth.

2. The safe (J,) containing the drum (29,) and bolt (I,) being held bythe outer door (0,) when constructed and operated substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

3. The endless chain or rope (6,) in combination with the levers (Z,)when con` structed and operated substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

4. The combination and arrangement of the levers (5,) bar (5,) and boltsor lugs (S',) when operated from without the grating substantially as,and for the purposes set forth.

EDVIN MAY.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM FINDLEY, WILLIAM THOMAS, Jr.

